White dry
Chapoutier Saint-Joseph Blanc Les Granilites 2022 – a refined, graceful, and mineral-driven expression of ‘Marsanne’, born on the granite-laced slopes of the Northern Rhône. This is a wine where elegance and precision matter more than power.
In the glass, it unfolds with aromas of citrus peel, white flowers, pear, and gentle hints of nuts and crushed stone. On the palate, it shows vibrant acidity, pure granite minerality, and a subtle texture; the finish is long, saline and chalky, leaving a refreshing, finely etched impression.
Composed of 100% ‘Marsanne’, this wine comes from several historic plots around Charnas, Tournon, and Mauves — the very heart of the Saint-Joseph appellation. Southeast-facing slopes, granite-rich clay soils, and elevated vineyards ensure balanced ripening and crystalline minerality. All grapes are harvested by hand.
The fruit is gently pressed, the must cold-settled for about 48 hours, and fermented with indigenous yeasts. The wine is then aged for around 8 months on fine lees — 75% in stainless steel and 25% in 600-liter French oak demi-muids — preserving purity while adding delicate structure and depth.
Serve at 10-12 °C with baked salmon, cod, chicken, seasoned with béchamel sauce, or pork with baked apples.
Maison M. Chapoutier – The Benchmark of Biodynamic Mastery in the Rhône Valley
The name Maison M. Chapoutier is inseparable from the modern history of Rhône Valley winemaking. It is one of the estates that not only brought the appellations of the Northern and Southern Rhône to international prominence, but also fundamentally reshaped the way terroir, varietal purity, and responsibility to the land are understood.
Although the Chapoutier family has been involved in wine since the 19th century, a decisive turning point came in the late 20th century when Michel Chapoutier took the helm. His vision was clear—and radical for its time: wine should not be the result of compromise, but a precise translation of place into the glass.
The Single-Varietal Philosophy
Chapoutier was among the first major producers to consistently champion single-varietal wines even in appellations where blends are traditionally permitted—or encouraged.
This is not a marketing choice, but a deliberate philosophy aimed at expressing terroir with absolute clarity:
This approach has made Chapoutier wines true reference points, widely used in professional tastings, wine education, and sommelier training as benchmarks of pure site expression.
Biodynamics as a Mark of Quality
Another cornerstone of Chapoutier’s identity is biodynamic viticulture. The estate was one of the first large Rhône producers to adopt biodynamics and today stands as the largest biodynamic wine estate in the Rhône Valley.
Here, biodynamics is not ideology—it is a practical tool:
The result is wines defined by energy, tension, and longevity—rather than simple ripeness or technical polish.
Mastery of White Wines in the Rhône Context
While the Rhône Valley is often associated primarily with red wines, Chapoutier has become one of the most important ambassadors of world-class Rhône white wines.
Cuvées such as Hermitage Blanc, Ermitage De L’Orée, Saint-Joseph Blanc, and Condrieu are characterized by:
These wines stand as compelling proof that the Rhône is capable of producing white wines of profound complexity, seriousness, and longevity.